How to Arrange Flowers

Arrangements of fresh flowers make delightful home accents and thoughtful gifts. However, they can also be expensive when you purchase them from a florist. Using the following instructions, you can learn how to arrange flowers by making your own beautiful bouquets and stationary arrangements.

Flowers can breathe light and air into a room. They convey comfort, sympathy, love and friendship, depending on the occasion. Floral design has been around since the time of the Ancient Egyptians and is considered a form of art.The Flower Expert: History of Floral Design Buying professional arrangements can be prohibitively expensive, but you can learn to create your own beautiful arrangements at home with only a few supplies. Buying arrangements also cuts you out of the process of creation and design. When you arrange your own flowers at home, you become a floral artist.

• Bouquets
• Flower bouquets can be given as gifts and can be placed in vases. Also, they are carried in the hand ((wedding bouquets)). A bouquet can be as simple as a bunch of fresh-picked wildflowers, but wedding bouquets, in particular, have more specific, traditional forms.

1. Nosegay, or Round Bouquet: Consists of flowers arranged in a tight, round bunch.WeddingVeil.com: Types of Bridal Bouquets (January 25, 2008)
2. Cascade Bouquet: Is a formal arrangement with a circular bunch of flowers that fall down in a cascade in the front. The cascade part of the bouquet can be as long or as short as desired.Truly Wedding Blog: The Many Types of Wedding Bouquet (December 9, 2007)
3. Hand-tied Bouquet: Is a less formal arrangement. The stems of the flowers are tied together with their ends showing.Truly Wedding Blog: The Many Types of Wedding Bouquet (December 9, 2007)

• Stationary or Table Arrangements
• The names of the different silhouettes (or shapes) of stationary flower arrangements are largely self-explanatory. A fan arrangement resembles a fan while a pyramid arrangement takes the general shape of a pyramid. Think about the space where you intend to display the arrangement as well as its purpose before deciding on a silhouette.

1. Dome Arrangement: Is a symmetrical dome of flowers. Other than the bouquet, the dome is the simplest possible arrangement.Flower Arrangement Advisor: The Ten Basic Arrangement Forms
2. Pyramid Arrangement: Is tall with a triangular base.Flower Arrangement Advisor: The Ten Basic Arrangement Forms
3. Crescent Flower Arrangements: Can be created using flowers with curving or flexible stemsDgreetings: Types of Flower Arrangement The two tips of the crescent typically point up into the air.
4. Horizontal Arrangements: Are low and symmetrical (often linear) arrangements that sit close to the surface on which they're placed;Flower Arrangement Advisor: The Ten Basic Arrangement Forms Use a shallow container, one focal flower and several side branches to create this silhouette.Dgreetings: Types of Flower Arrangement
5. Vertical Arrangements: Are tall and relatively thinFlower Arrangement Advisor: The Ten Basic Arrangement Forms
6. L-shaped Arrangement: Is asymetrical, like the letter for which it's namedFlower Arrangement Advisor: The Ten Basic Arrangement Forms
7. Fan Arrangements: Are defined by flowers with long, strong stemsFlower Arrangement Advisor: The Ten Basic Arrangement Forms
8. Triangle Arrangements: Have tall central flowers and shorter flowers to form the sides
9. Inverted T Arrangement: Looks very much like a triangle arrangementFlower Arrangement Advisor: The Ten Basic Arrangement Forms
10. Oval Arrangements: Form a floral portrait with the brightest flowers in the centerDgreetings: Types of Flower Arrangement
11. Hogarth's Curve Arrangement: Trains flowers into the shape of an 'SDgreetings: Types of Flower Arrangement

• Structure
• Consider the structural qualities of individual flowers. What kind of shapes do you need to create your chosen silhouette? What flowers will provide the focus for your arrangement? Will many larger flowers overcrowd your bouquet or will the lack of them underwhelm the viewer? Many florists classify the flowers in an arrangement as belonging to three categories: focal, line and fillers.

1. Focal flowers provide the focal points of an arrangement and are often the largest and brightest in the arrangement. Typical focal flowers include roses, peonies and hydrangeas.SaveOnCrafts: Using Focal, Filler & Line in Floral Design
2. Line flowers create the silhouette, providing a visual scaffolding for the arrangement. Typical line flowers include delphiniums, gladiolas and snapdragons.SaveOnCrafts: Using Focal, Filler & Line in Floral Design
3. Fillers' help fill out the silhouette of an arrangement. Baby's breath, dianthus and wax flowers often serve as fillers.SaveOnCrafts: Using Focal, Filler & Line in Floral Design
4. Floral arrangements can also contain non-flower elements. For instance, vines, berries, fruit, ferns and other greens provide interest and texture.

• Colors
• Create a mood with color.Quamut: Principles of Floral Design: Color Some colors tend to contribute a somber tone while others are cheerful. Remain conscious of how the different colors of your flowers work together to create harmony or disharmony. Decide on a color palette and choose flowers in accordance with it. Color theory and the color wheeloffer some suggestions on creating pleasing color combinations:Color Wheel Pro: Color Theory Basics

1. Warm colors, such as reds, oranges and yellows, have a different affect than cool colors, such as blues, greens and purples.Quamut: Principles of Floral Design: Color
2. A monochromatic arrangement uses variations of a single color.Color Wheel Pro: Color Theory Basics
3. An arrangement based on analogous colors combines colors that lie immediately next to each other on the color wheel.Color Wheel Pro: Color Theory Basics
4. An arrangement of flowers with complementary colors makes use of colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel.Color Wheel Pro: Color Theory Basics

• Meaning
• Understand the language of flowers. Over the course of history, certain flowers have accrued traditional meanings specific to certain cultures. For example, red roses can indicate romantic love while white roses stand for purity.The Language of Flowers - Roses Ophelia associates pansies, or heartsease, with thoughtfulness in Shakespeare's Hamlet.NJ.com: Name Calling (March 26, 2008) While it's unlikely that the recipient or viewer of your flowers will understand all of the subtle nuances with which the Victorians imbued their flowers, you should still keep in mind that certain flowers may be more appropriate for specific occasions than others.Victorian Bazaar: Language of Flowers

If you're making a simple vase arrangement or informal bouquet, you won't need much more than your flowers, container and a sharp knife (or scissors). However, more complicated or formal arrangements necessitate some other tools. You can find floral supplies at craft stores or online retailers such as Afloral, Joann Fabrics and Crafta.Official Site: Afloral.com Official Site: Joann Official Site: Crafta

1. Scissors can cut stems, paper and some wires.Flower Arrangement Advisor: Florist Tools and Supplies for Your Flower Arrangement Work

2. Stem tape and wires hold flower stems together and can make them longer and less flimsy.SaveOnCrafts: Floral Designing Tools

3. Bouquet holders and collars are useful for some wedding bouquets.SaveOnCrafts: Bouquet Holders & Collars

4. Pins hold ribbons and bows in place.

In addition to some of the tools listed for hand-held bouquets, some of these items may be of use:

1. Waterproof floral tape can form a grid through which to stick flower stems.SaveOnCrafts: Waterproof Floral Tape
2. Cut flower preservatives extend the life of an arrangement when mixed with the water supply. You can buy professional mixes or recipes for homemade preservatives.

• A proper container is an integral element of a beautiful flower arrangement.

1. Choose a container appropriate to the bouquet or arrangement you've chosen to create.Better Homes and Gardens: Flower Bouquet Basics The smaller the arrangement, the smaller the container should be.
2. Clean the container thoroughly before use to prevent infection of the flowers by bacteria.SaveOnCrafts: Flower Arranging -- Pre-Arranging Fresh Flowers
3. If using a container that's not waterproof, you must place a waterproof container inside it.SaveOnCrafts: Preparing Containers for Your Arrangements
4. Secure any floral foam you intend to use in the container with hot glue or waterproof floral tape.

• Once you've chosen a form for your arrangement and the particular flowers you will use, you've done much of the work. The shape you've chosen will decide the placement of the focal and line flowers.

1. If you plan to place your arrangement in a vase, organize the flowers in your hands first.Better Homes and Gardens: Flower Bouquet Basics
2. Support the blooms of heavier flowers with floral wire and tape so that they won't droop.SaveOnCrafts: Flower Arranging with Fresh Flowers -- Wiring & Taping Stems
3. Your arrangement must have a sense of balance. You don't want it to feel lopsided in any way. Don't put all the large, vibrant flowers to one side, or that side will seem heavier.SaveOnCrafts: Western Elements in Floral Design
4. Cut the flower stems to the appropriate length for your container.Better Homes and Gardens: Flower Bouquet Basics Cut the stems under water to prevent air from closing the stems.
5. Some types of flowers may require special treatment such as cauterization or mashing of the stems before they're placed in a container with other flowers.SaveOnCrafts: Flower Arranging -- Pre-Arranging Fresh Flowers
6. Cut off broken and dead material, as well as any leaves that fall below where the water line will be.SaveOnCrafts: Flower Arranging -- Pre-Arranging Fresh Flowers
7. Insert the stems of your stationary arrangement into the floral foam you've secured in its container.
8. Insert your line flowers first to outline the overall shape of your design.SaveOnCrafts: Using Focal, Filler & Line in Floral Design
9. Add focal flowers after the line flowers. Place them at the center or focal point of the arrangement.SaveOnCrafts: Using Focal, Filler & Line in Floral Design
10. Once the major elements of your design are in place, use filler flowers to flesh out the spaces between the focal and line flowers.SaveOnCrafts: Using Focal, Filler & Line in Floral Design

1. Cut flowers need water to thrive. If your arrangement is in a vase or contains wet floral foam, give the flowers fresh water every day.

2. Give blossoms warm water if you want them to open immediately and cool water to help them live longer. Don't use water at extreme temperatures, either hot or cold.SaveOnCrafts: Floral Design 101